DAVID HAYE claimed Anthony Joshua is “doing something wrong” against Jermaine Franklin if he cannot “blast him out.”
AJ is set to announce Franklin as his return opponent on April 1, back at the O2 Arena for the first time in seven years.
Joshua, 33, is in need of a confidence-building win following consecutive points losses to Oleksandr Usyk, 36.
Meanwhile Franklin, 29, made a name for himself in November when he was beaten in a disputed decision by Dillian Whyte, 34.
Ex-world champion-turned retired pundit Haye, 42, forecasts no such concerns for AJ in the ring – but fears the worst if there is.
He told Pro Boxing Fans: “He should beat Jermaine Franklin.
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“It was a good fight he gave Dillian Whyte, so he’s shown he has some skills, he’s shown he’s got a nice jab and some good head movement.
“But if AJ can’t blast him out of there in three or four rounds, then he’s doing something wrong.
“He’s so much bigger and stronger, so much more athletic and punches so much harder – and he’s an Olympic gold medallist.
“So, he’s got everything in his favour, he just needs to go out there and let his hands go.
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“If he goes out there and tries to have a boxing match with him then he will have a hard time because the guy is quite a tricky little boxer.”
Franklin looks to have beaten southpaw duo Otto Wallin, 32, and Demsey McKean, 32, in the race to welcome Joshua back to the ring.
And following his performance against Whyte, in which many felt he should have won, Eddie Hearn defended AJ’s decision to face him.
Promoter Hearn told Boxing Social: “I just don’t understand some people’s criticism of AJ. He’s just fought Oleksandr Usyk twice.
“If he fights Demsey Mckean, Otto Wallin or Jermaine Franklin – I don’t understand what more people want.
“He’s coming back, working with a new trainer and getting a foothold in the heavyweight division.
“Jermaine Franklin is a dangerous fight, he’s full of confidence and coming off a great performance against Dillain Whyte.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
